Lobelia Bracegirdle was probably born in Hardbottle. She is presumably one of the cousins said to have been less than thrilled about Bilbo’s return to Hobbiton, and Bilbo suspects that she stole his spoons. This means she had married Otho before “coming of age”, as she was only 23 years old at the time. In LOTR, she and her husband in 3001 dispute Frodo’s status as Bilbo’s heir. With her son, she purchases Bag End from Frodo in 3018. She is imprisoned by Saruman’s men in fall 3019, released a few weeks later by Frodo, distraught at the death of her son, and dies the following spring, leaving all her money to charity.

[expanded to include Wargs] This post is meant to represent the deviant Wolves/Wargs in Professor Tolkien’s tales. They are deadly-fierce canine predators that often ally with the enemy. Their howls make the blood run cold and they can run for many leagues without rest. Not only are the Wolves vicious in their attacks, they are also mounts for Orcs known as Wolf-riders. The evil Wolves are called Wargs; a demonic kind of Wolf that come from Wilderland in the eastern part of the Misty Mountains. Hundreds now live in the shadow of the goblin-infested mountains. They are intelligent with the Chief Wolf capable of speaking to the pack in a dreadful language Gandalf understands. While they are ferocious and powerful, both the Wolf and Warg fear fire.

The Chief Wolf of the pack that discovered Gandalf, Thorin & Company in the clearing and drove them into the trees was hit by a magically-inflamed pinecone thrown by Gandalf. More were hurled into the pack and several other Wolves were set ablaze by the wizard’s fiery bombardment.

Wolf-riders and Wargs were in the Battle of Five Armies in 2941, killing, rending and savaging Elves, Men and Dwarves.

In 3019, a more sinister element of the Wargs was discovered when The Fellowship of the Ring was assailed by a pack after escaping Caradhras. Once again, Gandalf used fire against the attackers. Legolas’ last arrow was kindled as it flew and struck the great wolf-chieftain in the heart. The Company had slain many Wolves in the battle, though no sign of them could be found the next morning. Only Legolas’ spent arrows lie around the clearing and the charred trees showed any sign of the fight.

Memorable Quotes

• “I’ll give you Sharkey, you dirty thieving ruffians!” (to the ruffians in LOTR)
• “You don’t belong here; you’re no Baggins — you — you’re a Brandybuck!” (to Frodo)
• “Ours at last!” (on buying Bag End)
• “I’ll give you Sharkey, you dirty thieving ruffians!” (to the ruffians in LOTR)